There is more to the debate over whether to lengthen the NFL regular season from the current 16 games to 18—while commensurately shortening the exhibition; excuse me, preseason, from four games to two—than meets the eye...

The politician types now arguing about the NFL 's playoff seeding format are much like their real-world counterparts on Capitol Hill and our assorted state legislatures: They see the minor problem, but not the major problem...